1 - Sheffield Bears

W: 9

D: 1

L: 3

GF: 105

GA: 57

GD: +48

PP%: 44.8

PK%: 62.5

Pts: Garrett (27)

G: Garrett (15)

A: Ho (12)

SAV%: Egginton (0.92)

I have not rated another Bears team as highly this year, but in this scenario I dare not rate them any lower. This team just seems to love April, because no matter how bad a Cup season they have they never seem to have an awful Nationals. The team normally draw some good talent at this time of year, but even if they did not do that this team has momentum after finishing their season strong. Not only did they secure second place in the North they also managed what few teams have done and beat the Edinburgh Eagles in Murrayfield. Everything is coming up Sheffield this year as they find themselves in arguably the easier group. Between this and inspirational leader Crawley dishing out the inspirational rants like King Leonidas would if somebody had just licked the last muffin in Sparta this team has what it takes to go deep.

2 - St Andrews Typhoons

W: 3

D: 0

L: 0

GF: 19

GA: 8

GD: +11

PP%: 100.0

PK%: 0.0

Pts: Ganss (4)

G: Ganss (3)

A: Hindmarch (1)

SAV%: Wallace (0.93)

It is a bit of a risk ranking a non-cup team in second place, but this team is 100% this season and finished last season with a dominant display in just their second Nationals winning Tier 2. St. Andrews have shown this year that last years heroics in the Johnny Wookey Match were not beginners luck as they convincingly defeated the Division 1 North winning Edinburgh Eagles. It remains to be seen if they will adapt to the format of the Nationals, but this team are a dark horse for the title.

3 - Edinburgh Eagles

W: 9

D: 0

L: 3

GF: 124

GA: 42

GD: +82

PP%: 48.8

PK%: 70.0

Pts: Tekenos-Levy (56)

G: Tekenos-Levy (26)

A: Tekenos-Levy (30)

SAV%: Rosenstein (1.00)

For a team winning back to back Division 1 North titles being ranked third might be seen as a bit of an insult, but they are limping into Nationals after a tough couple of results in their last few games. Offensively this team certainly has been the most potent offence in the top tier of the BUIHA with two forty plus points getters in their midst. That being said the Eagles need to be consistent at the back if they are to challenge at champs. They have used six different goalies this season and still came out on top, so they can adjust when they need to. They could go deep and if they do you best avert your eyes in case that kilt wearing maniac of a coach gets too excited.

4 - London Dragons

W: 6

D: 2

L: 2

GF: 101

GA: 40

GD: +61

PP%: 10.0

PK%: 56.3

Pts: Clegg-Vinell (22)

G: Davenport (13)

A: Clegg-Vinell (12)

SAV%: Zaskorski (0.93)

Looking at the groups I have to back the Dragons to have a semi final berth in the cup competition. They have not had the most consistent of seasons this year, but they are the only team to take the scalp of the high flying Oxford Blues. With grizzled veterans Sam Hayman and Kalle Uusitalo involved you know there will be some 'interesting,' or outright brutal plays from this team. Those two are good at kicking butt and chewing gum and understand that gum is notoriously difficult to find in London at this time of year. If this team can stay out of penalty trouble then they should have a shot.

5 - Nottingham Mavericks

W: 8

D: 1

L: 2

GF: 103

GA: 23

GD: +80

PP%: 16.7

PK%: 88.9

Pts: Bell (21)

G: Bell (13)

A: Mullen (10)

SAV%: Kelly (0.93)

The Mavericks could be ranked higher if they were not in the proverbial 'group of death.' The Mavericks come into to Nationals as perhaps the most frustrated team ever to play at Nationals having so narrowly missed out on Cup glory in their last regular season game. The write up after that game describe the Mavericks as the best coached team in the BUIHA and certainly looking at the stats that is accurate on the defensive side of things. In a tournament of shorter games defence is certainly going to be key, so there is no way this team should be ruled out. In a scoring sense they score by committee with no total breakaway scorers like you see on the teams above them. They can do a job and definitely should not be cast aside when considering potential winners.

6 - Cambridge Blues

W: 4

D: 3

L: 3

GF: 99

GA: 74

GD: +25

PP%: 29.6

PK%: 78.6

Pts: Kroshus (68)

G: Kroshus (44)

A: Kroshus (24)

SAV%: Kang (0.82)

Ranked higher than maybe they should be because of the luck of the draw and also to an extent because their attendance at the AGM did not stop me getting home before work on the Monday. Like the Cambridge Womens team the Blues have an X Factor. In the case of the Blues their X Factor is Eric Kroshus who averages 7.56 points per game. If this guy was a price comparison site he would be so Money Supermarket (disclaimer - other price comparison sites are available). The support acts ain't bad either with three others on the team on more than 20 points. You may be asking yourself why they haven't had more success this season and I will answer that by saying that their goals against average is quite frankly disgusting. If this team can find a beaver to build them a dam in front of their net then they could be an outside bet, but otherwise they will be having an early night on Sunday.

7 - Manchester Metros

W: 4

D: 0

L: 10

GF: 85

GA: 104

GD: -19

PP%: 33.3

PK%: 68.8

Pts: Gunn (34)

G: Gunn (20)

A: Gunn (14)

SAV%: Pearson (0.83)

The Metrostars finished fourth in Division 1 North this year with a 3-0-7 record. Do not let that fool you, though as Manchester teams at Nationals this season have being pulling out performances like magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat. Of course the one player that has always been dangerous is old reliable Allen Gunn (@a_gunzy) who in a tough season has 34 points. This team is committed to a fault, playing home games in Wales just to get by. I do not expect this team to cause the shock that their C & D team caused, but 'Don't Look Back In Anger' if I am wrong.

8 - Southampton Spitfires

W: 4

D: 3

L: 3

GF: 51

GA: 47

GD: +4

PP%: 27.3

PK%: 100.0

Pts: Tilden (17)

G: Tilden (14)

A: Porter (7)

SAV%: Moravek (0.82)

This team is a bit of unknown this year at Nationals as out of all the teams entered from Cup Competitions they have the fewest completed games. They have relied on their B team to provide the good patter this year and it seems they perhaps should be relying on them for hockey tips, as they do not have a winning record in as long as I can remember and that includes losing the only game that went ahead at home this season. Their major threat is Chris Tilden who has 17 recorded points in four games this season. The Spitfires will be hoping to find their wings at the right time, but I do not anticipate them being a major threat.

9 - Hull Ice Hogs

W: 3

D: 2

L: 7

GF: 46

GA: 127

GD: -81

PP%: 50.0

PK%: 33.3

Pts: Towner (16)

G: Nenonen (8)

A: Towner (8)

SAV%: Lacy (0.79)

Despite giving up 116 goals the Hull Ice Hogs managed a 2-2-6 record in the cup this year, which includes not only a win against the seventh ranked Metrostars, but also a tie with the Nottingham Mavericks. However, Hull only seem to be able to pull off results in patches as they have pretty much beat down by most of the teams they have faced. I think it really depends who turns up for Hull this upcoming weekend when considering their chances, but I can see them being home in time for tea on Sunday night.

10 - Birmingham Lions

W: 1

D: 2

L: 11

GF: 35

GA: 152

GD: -117

PP%: 19.2

PK%: 47.2

Pts: Rolls (17)

G: Stevens (9)

A: Rolls (8)

SAV%: Gill (0.80)

This teams goal deficit should be used in a government campaign entitled 'it's not so bad.' They have conceded 132 goals this season and their goalies have complained of back pain from trying to carry them for a whole season. The only bright spot was a draw with Hull at home. I tip my hat to them though, as they have toughed it out and played every single scheduled game. I don't see them having a good weekend in terms of on ice achievement, but if their B & C teams are anything to go by they will certainly make the most of it.